What John Key's up to: Chow venture in solid shape

What John Key's up to: Chow venture in solid shape
'We need the market to recover where we can get back to pumping out bigger volume' - John Key. (Image: Getty)
Brent Melville
The Chow brothers’ property empire is in “better shape than many” to ride out the downturn and survive what for many developers are crippling finance costs, according to John Key.The former prime minister and his son, Max, entered into a development co-venture with the Chows in February 2022, under their MTK Capital entity. The Hong Kong-born brothers and wider family own volume home builder Stonewood, having amassed their early fortune running Wellington takeaway, strip club and massage parlour operations.The target was...

More Property

Labour unveils targeted capital gains tax policy
Property

Labour unveils targeted capital gains tax policy

The tax would apply only to profits from selling residential or commercial property.

Fletcher Building MD: ‘It hurts to make these cuts’
Property

Fletcher Building MD: ‘It hurts to make these cuts’

An emotional Andrew Reding says staff understand why the firm has to cut back.

Fletcher Building puts ‘noise’ in the past
Property

Fletcher Building puts ‘noise’ in the past

New directors say shareholders are right to expect more, and they intend to deliver.

Property for Industry says valuation cycle turning
Infrastructure

Property for Industry says valuation cycle turning

It cites strong occupancy, lease terms behind and sees strong 2026.

Staff reporters 21 Oct 2025